Barge Cruise: Finesse
Cruise In France On The Canal du Centre In Southern Burgundy Aboard The Ultra Deluxe Hotel-Barge FINESSE
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Finesse is a luxurious double-decker barge, with a large, modern salon that has panoramic windows, comfortable sofas, a dining table for eight and an open demonstration kitchen, where guests can watch the chef prepare their gourmet meals. The four spacious twin or queen-bedded cabins all include a large ensuite bathroom with shower. Outside there is a spacious sun deck with alfresco dining area, comfortable seating and a spa pool.
The Finesse cruises on the picturesque Canal du Centre in the Southern Burgundy wine region, and includes excursions to Dijon and its famous market, a private wine tasting at Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils in Beaune and a private Michelin chef-prepared lunch at the Bouchard Chateau, as well as a visit to the Château de Gemolles, the last residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. Passengers booking individual cabins will be transferred from Dijon to the barge and return. For charters, passengers may also be transferred from/to Paris, Geneva, or Lyon..
We were some of the first passengers on board the Finesse when it started cruising in May 2016 and can attest to the fact that it offers an exceptional luxury cruise. Over the years, we've been impressed with the size of the cabins and bathrooms, the large open salon and lounge chairs on deck. We think Finesse is magnificent!
Features
- Size of barge: 128 ft
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
- Crew: 5
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon: Large open salon with demonstration kitchen, dining table, panoramic windows
- Bar: Open Bar
- Deck: Sun deck with hot tub, 2 sun loungers, dining table with 8 chairs and sun canopy
- Spa Tub:Yes
- Cabin Features: 4 equal-sized twin or queen cabins (approx. 265 sq ft) each with ensuite bathroom with shower.
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions:9-seater air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter
- Accessibility: 11 steps from salon to cabins.
- Bicycles:8 folding bikes with 5 gears
- Wi-Fi: Yes (limited in some areas)
Finesse's Deck Plan
| FINESSE 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Mar 21 thru Apr 24 Jul 18 thru Aug 28 Oct 3 thru Oct 30 |
REGULAR Apr 25 thru Jul 17 Aug 29 thru Oct 2 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$6,850 |
$8,050 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,500 |
$2,900 |
| Charter for 6 |
$47,800 |
$55,400 |
| Charter for 7 |
$49,500 |
$57,600 |
| Charter for 8 |
$51,200 |
$59,800 |
| FINESSE 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Mar 27 thru Apr 30 Jul 17 thru Aug 27 Oct 9 thru Oct 29 |
REGULAR May 1 thru Jul 16 Aug 28 thru Oct 8 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$7,250 |
$8,550 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$2,650 |
$3,100 |
| Charter for 6 |
$50,400 |
$58,900 |
| Charter for 7 |
$52,200 |
$61,200 |
| Charter for 8 |
$54,000 |
$63,500 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Dijon to the barge and return for cabin bookings. Transfers from Paris, Geneva, Lyon, Dijon, or Le Creusot TGV station to the barge and return for charter bookings
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday, including one gastronomic lunch on shore
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar
- All escorted side-excursions (hot air balloon flights, golf, etc., at extra cost)
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Dijon and return
- Suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
Finesse 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 21 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Mar 28 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Apr 4 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Apr 11 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Apr 18 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Apr 25 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| May 2 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| May 9 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| May 16 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| May 23 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| May 30 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jun 6 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Jun 13 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jun 20 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Jun 27 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jul 4 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Jul 11 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jul 18 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Jul 25 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Aug 1 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Aug 8 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Aug 15 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Aug 22 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Aug 29 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Sep 5 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Sep 12 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Sep 19 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Sep 26 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Oct 3 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Oct 10 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Oct 17 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Oct 24 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
|
Finesse 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Mar 27 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Apr 3 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Apr 10 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Apr 17 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Apr 24 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| May 1 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| May 8 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| May 15 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| May 22 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| May 29 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jun 5 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Jun 12 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jun 19 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Jun 26 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jul 3 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Jul 10 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Jul 17 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Jul 24 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Jul 31 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Aug 7 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Aug 14 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Aug 21 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Aug 28 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Sep 4 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Sep 11 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Sep 18 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Sep 25 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Regular |
| Oct 2 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Regular |
| Oct 9 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
| Oct 16 | St. Jean-St Julien-sur-Dheune | Value |
| Oct 23 | St Julien-sur-Dheune-St. Jean | Value |
*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Burgundy: Canal du Centre
Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Chalon-sur-Saone 2023
Burgundy: Canal du Centre
Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Chalon-sur-Saone 2023
Chateau-de-Germolles
Chateau Clos de Vougeot
Hotel Dieu Hospice
Autun Roman Amphitheatre
Guests are met in Dijon* and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Finesse for a champagne welcome and the opportunity to meet the crew. Then there is time to wander along the towpath to admire the classic Burgundy scenery before dinner on board.
Monday - Saint-Julien-sur-Dheune to Saint-Leger-sur-Dheune
This morning, we begin our voyage through Southern Burgundy along the Canal du Centre through undulating countryside to moor at the little village of Saint-Leger-sur-Dheune. We descend a series of 11 locks while cruising past the villages along the way. After lunch on board, we visit the 14th century Château de Germolles, the best preserved of the residences of the Dukes of Burgundy, with its ducal chapel, medieval wall paintings and romantic gardens. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Saint-Leger-sur-Dheune to Remigny
This morning, we head to Autun, founded by the Romans as Augustodunum it has retained many of its original Antique monuments such as Roman gates, ruins of a Temple and a 17,000 seat amphitheater. We return to the barge for lunch, then we cruise to the rural setting of Remigny, passing along the route picturesque Burgundian villages such as the famous wine-producing village of Santenay. Dinner on board.
Wednesday - Remigny to Rully
After breakfast, we set off on a drive through the UNESCO-listed Côte de Beaune vineyards to the town of Beaune itself, which is the capital of Burgundy’s wine country. Our first stop will be a visit to the oldest winemakers in Burgundy, Maison Champey. Guests will enjoy a private tour of the wine cellars and experience a wine tasting, learning from an expert about the production of the region’s finest Premier and Grand Cru wines. A private lunch is served in a unique dining venue, which has been created from one of the winery’s historic large wooden wine vats or “cuves”. We then we go on to visit the stunning 15th century Hôtel-Dieu Hospice and return to the barge for an afternoon cruise past the charming little town of Chagny, to our mooring near the village of Rully. Dinner on board.
Thursday - Rully to Fragnes
This morning, we continue our cruise along the Canal du Centre at a leisurely pace to moor at the village of Fragnes. There are perfect opportunities to walk or cycle along the towpath en route. In the afternoon we escort you on a winery tour and private tasting to the delightful Domaine Chanzy, one of Burgundy’s must-see wine estates thanks to its 80 hectares of vines growing over the three Burgundy hillsides. Dinner on board.
Friday - Fragnes to Chalon-sur-Saône
This morning, we make our final cruise of the week, passing through the last lock on the canal which lowers us an impressive 35 feet. We then head out onto the peaceful River Saône and turn downstream to our mooring at Chalon-sur-Saône with its elegant waterfront, imposing cathedral and opportunities for some last shopping. After lunch on board, we visit Clos de Vougeot***, headquarters of the esteemed Chevaliers du Tastevin (translates as "Fraternity of Knights of the Wine-Tasting Cup"), who award a special prized label to the finest Côte d‘Or vintages every year. Continue along the Route des Grands Cru through the Côte de Nuits, before returning to Finesse. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Chalon-sur-Saône
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Dijon**.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
**Other locations available for private Charter bookings.
*** On Friday afternoon, charter groups might wish to visit Dijon with its Cathedral and mustard shops instead of Clos de Vougeot. This can be discussed with the Captain once on-board.
Dining Aboard The Finesse:
SAMPLE MENU
LUNCH
- Beetroot salad
- Roast Turbot, Clam Veloute, Green Vegetables
- Prune & Armagnac Frangipane Tart
- Wine: Sancerre
- Heritage tomato salad, baby basil, buffalp Mozzarella
- Pan fried salmon, haricot vert & salsa verde
- Creme brulee with biscotti
- Wine:Rose le Cloche, Languedoc Roussilon
DINNER
- Fois Gras Terrine
- Fillet of Charolais Beef
- Cheeses: Epoises, Valencay, Roquefort
- Chocolate and White Chocolate Sorbet
- Wines: Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru, Chateauneuf du Pape
- Crab & smoked haddock risotto
- Magret de Canard, cauliflower pursee, fondant potato & port and cherry
jus
- Cheeses: Rocomadour, Bleu d'Auvergne, Ossau Iraty
- Wine: Mercurey, Nuits Saint Georges
SAMPLE WINE LIST
Meursault; Pouilly-Fuissé; Nuits-St-Georges; Santenay; Chenas; Chablis; Gevrey-Chambertin; Sancerre
Passenger Comments:
We had a wonderful time on the Finesse. The boat and the staff were faultless. The extra communal space gave it a lovely feel and although it's maybe not as pretty a boat (externally) as Enchante, it was a more relaxed vessel to cruise on. The area was beautiful, food fantastic, service faultless. The additional wine trip to Chanzy was superb and probably better than the scheduled one. Louisa and Roger really have set up a great boat and team. We really admire what they have done on both boats. In short we loved it.P.W. England
The chef was excellent and all the meals were top notch. Crew was very interactive and open which I appreciate. Even though the weather was bad a couple of days the large salon on the Finesse did not feel like we were on top of each other. The trip met and exceeded all of our expectations. We were on the Enchante in 2010 and the Finesse is even better. Rooms were huge with great bathrooms. I hope Roger and Louisa put a similar barge in the Bordeaux area. I would love to go there with the same experience.
C.L. CO, USA
The service was exceptional; friendly and anticipating ever need.The cabins were beautiful, clean and comfortable; could have used more hanging space. The meals were over the top. I had some special food issues and they were handled so nicely. Accommodating in a way that was so unnoticeable. Phenomenal food choices and paired with great wines.
T.B., CA, USA
LINKS to Finesse Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023